When I was just a wee little lad
Full of health and joy
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy

A wonder to behold it was
With many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it
It became my hearts delight

It went 'Zip' when it moved
'Bop' when it stopped
'Whirr' when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

The first time that I picked it up
I had a big surprise
For right on its bottom were two big button
That looked like big green eyes

I first pushed one and then the other
Then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again
Here is what it did

It went 'Zip' when it moved
'Bop' when it stopped
'Whirr' when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

It first marched left, then marched right
Then marched under a chair
And when I looked where it had gone
It wasn't even there

It started to cry and my Daddy laughed
For he knew that I would find
When I turned around my marvelous toy
Chugging from behind

It went 'Zip' when it moved
'Bop' when it stopped
'Whirr' when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

Now, the years have gone by
Too quickly it seems
I have my own little boy
And yesterday I gave to him
My marvelous little toy

His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
He gave a squeal of glee
Neither one of us knows just what it is
But he loves it just like me

It still goes 'Zip' when it moves
And 'Bop' when it stops
And 'Whirr' when it stand still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

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Writer(s): Tom Paxton